2018 high school football preview: Class 4A

Richard Dean

Updated
10:23 am CDT, Wednesday, August 8, 2018

North Forest Bulldogs Demond Demas (1) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the first half during the high school football game between Kashmere Fighting Rams and the North Forest Bulldogs at Delmar Stadium in Houston, TX on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

North Forest Bulldogs Demond Demas (1) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the first half during the high school football game between Kashmere Fighting Rams and the North Forest Bulldogs at

North Forest Bulldogs Demond Demas (1) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the first half during the high school football game between Kashmere Fighting Rams and the North Forest Bulldogs at Delmar Stadium in Houston, TX on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

North Forest Bulldogs Demond Demas (1) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the first half during the high school football game between Kashmere Fighting Rams and the North Forest Bulldogs at

Navasota won’t sneak up on teams because of a sustained run of success and the Rattlers could easily emerge as the top 4A team from the Houston area. Casey Dacus begins his first year coaching the Rattlers, who return eight defensive starters, including Tyreke Houston and Tyrin Preston from the line.

Two years after taking Sweetwater to the 2016 4A Division II championship game, second-year Sealy coach Shane Mobley may have a Tigers team capable of big things in 2018.

Four sophomores started on defense last year and that unit returns safety Clay Roberts and linebackers Garrett Redden (103 tackles) and Hunter Clark (68 tackles). Factor in quarterback Garret Zaskoda, a Rice baseball commitment, throwing in excess of 3,000 yards last season and a junior varsity team going 9-0, and the Tigers should be a force.

In Division II, there’s no reason to believe West Orange-Stark can’t make a run for a fifth straight state title game appearance. The Mustangs’ Kayvn Cooper was all-district at running back (815 yards rushing) and linebacker (93 tackles).

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Next in line

Yates and North Forest will have a say in District 12-4A Division I – perhaps one of Houston’s most interesting districts regardless of classification. Yates has no shortage of offensive talent led by running back Jordan Huffpower and wideout Jar’Michael Cooper.

North Forest is oozing with talent and coach Clifton Terrell has the program trending in the right direction. The team finished 8-1 a year ago and a playoff run in 2018 is a possibility.

One of Houston’s best stories last year was Brazosport under Mike Ferrell. The Exporters went from one win in 2016 to eight in 2017 including an area round berth. They could be just as good this year with 13 returning starters, including eight on defense.

La Marque is embarking on a new era with Shone Evans at head coach and its moving up to Class 4A from 3A. It’s hard to count out a program as automatic as the Cougars.

Sweeny and Silsbee will garner attention in Division II even though Silsbee must replace its quarterback. Cameron Adams rushed for nearly 1,200 yards a year ago for Sweeny, which advanced to the third round of the playoffs and return end Josh Ellis, district player of the year last season.

Dark horse

Needville has a dynamic backfield tandem of quarterback Kenny Hrncir and running back Ashton Stredick that makes the Blue Jays a team to be reckoned with. Needville received four votes in the Texas High School Coaches Association regional poll.

Best of the rest

Fulshear also received four votes in that regional poll. It’s the Chargers’ varsity debut under former Dulles coach Oschlor Flemming.

A rash of injuries hit El Campo, which still put together an impressive 8-3 season, in 2017. Only two starters from each side of the ball return for the Ricebirds but many returning players played valuable minutes, including quarterback Lynn Osina, who backed up his older brother Kelley last year and had a big game against Bay City.

Bay City, 7-4 last season, is an experienced group with a new coach in Pat Matthews, who replaced new Clear Brook coach Lupe Florez. Stafford’s defense returns four all-district players in back Josh Scott, linebacker Ken Savanah and linemen Ethan George and Zachary Natt.

Huffman Hargrave – retuning 11 starters - had the unfortunate pleasure of running into Carthage in the bi-district playoffs last year.

This pair will raise eyebrows. They’ve already gotten the attention of Alabama coach Nick Saban, who has visited the campus. A Texas commitment at 6-6, 334 pounds, the quick-footed Shepherd is a handful. Graceful for his size, Shepherd can handle numerous blocking schemes and excels in outside zone runs. Demas, a two-way star, caught 10 touchdowns in 2017. He could be the top recruit in the state in 2019.

Dylan Davidson, Sr., QB, Bay City

Called by one rival coach, “A grown man,” Davidson is good enough to carry a team if needed. He’s the triggerman in what should remain an explosive offense. A year ago he accounted for 3,380 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Ashton Stredick, Jr., RB, Needville

Needville has been picking up steam as a surprise team for 2018 and one big reason is Stredick, who has been offered by Baylor. A physical back, as a sophomore the 5-9, 175-pound Stredick rushed for 1,393 yards and 21 touchdowns. He looks just at ease in catching the ball.

Tyreke Houston, Sr., DL, Navasota

A preseason pick as 12-4A Division I Defensive Player of the Year, Houston had a banner 2017 season, collecting 103 tackles and five sacks.

Games to watch

Dallas Carter at Yates

Sept. 1, 5 p.m., Barnett Stadium

The debate between 1988 Carter and 1985 Yates never gets old. This is a modern rekindling of a meeting between two Prairie View Interscholastic League powers. It’s not only great for the communities but acts as a good non-district measuring stick.

Navasota at North Forest

Oct. 6, 6 p.m. Cowart Stadium

Realignment has brought these two teams together in what should make for an intriguing game. It will be a matchup of North Forest’s juggernaut offense against Navasota’s superb defense. The winner will most likely end up as 12-4A Division I champions.

Silsbee at West Orange-Stark

Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., Hooks Stadium

West Orange-Stark has been the dominant team in its region the past four years with two state titles to show for it. If any team can keep WO-S from occupying the top spot in 10-4A Division II, it may very well be Silsbee, a Division I regional finalist last year. WO-S won last year’s meeting 34-17.